Steer Clear®: A helpful guide for newer drivers

Welcome to your initial step in learning to drive! The following helpful information will guide your driving career. We’re here to help you hit the road quickly; but first, let’s go over a few car basics.

Car Parts and Safety Features | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video will help you learn about important car parts and safety features. Before you drive, make sure you’re aware of what each indicator light on your car means, such as the fuel indicator, emergency brake and seat belt lights. Know how to properly operate the turn signals, headlights, (including the parking lights and high beams), the windshield wipers (front and back, if you have them), the horn, the emergency brake, the defroster and temperature controls. You’ll also need a good understanding of your vehicle’s safety features and controls. Check to see if your car has newer safety features, and know how to use them.

Welcome to your initial step in learning to drive! The following helpful information will guide your driving career. We’re here to help you hit the road quickly; but first, let’s go over a few car basics.

Car Maintenance | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one helps to understand regular car maintenance such as checking tire pressure, checking tire treads, oil and transmission fluids, lights, flashers, windshield wipers, and wiper fluid levels.

Being correctly positioned in your car makes it easier to fully concentrate on the task of driving. A common mistake, especially among newer drivers, is to sit too close to the wheel. Let’s go through some quick adjustments to help ensure your safety and comfort.

Adjusting the Driver's Seat | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This is a video in a series of videos on teen driving safety. It explains how to properly adjust the driver's seat in your vehicle.

Being correctly positioned in your car makes it easier to fully concentrate on the task of driving. A common mistake, especially among newer drivers, is to sit too close to the wheel. Let’s go through some quick adjustments to help ensure your safety and comfort.

Adjusting the Steering Wheel | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series on teen driving safety. It explains how to properly adjust the steering wheel.

Being correctly positioned in your car makes it easier to fully concentrate on the task of driving. A common mistake, especially among newer drivers, is to sit too close to the wheel. Let’s go through some quick adjustments to help ensure your safety and comfort.

Adjusting the Mirrors | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series on teen driving safety. This one shows how to properly adjust your vehicle's mirrors.

Being correctly positioned in your car makes it easier to fully concentrate on the task of driving. A common mistake, especially among newer drivers, is to sit too close to the wheel. Let’s go through some quick adjustments to help ensure your safety and comfort.

Adjusting the Seat Belts | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series on teen driving safety. It explains how to properly adjust your seat belts.

Welcome to the next step in learning to drive! This module will focus on distracted driving, its causes, its effects, and ways to manage them.

Managing Distractions | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series on teen driver safety. It shows how to manage distractions while driving.

In this lesson, discover the dangers of driving while impaired.

Driving Under the Influence | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series on teen driver safety. This video explains the importance of not driving under the influence.

In this lesson, discover the dangers of driving while impaired.

Drowsy Driving | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series on teen driver safety. This one discusses the importance of not driving when you are drowsy.

Impaired driving is a nationwide problem, but with awareness and action, we can do our part to help lower the number of accidents that result.

In this lesson, learn to scan your surroundings to view the entire traffic scene as you drive. Discover the dangers of driving while impaired.

Developing a Scanning Routine | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is in a series of videos on teen driver safety. It shows how to scan for hazards.

Scanning the road will help you easily avoid most hazards. Keep practicing it whenever you drive, and it’ll automatically become part of your safe-driving routine for life.

While you can’t control others’ actions, you can manage your own reactions to avoid possible problems on the road. Being courteous, keeping a space cushion around your vehicle, and letting other drivers know your intentions will all keep the roads a little safer. In this lesson, you’ll learn to effectively communicate with other drivers and become more aware of figuring out their intentions.

Communicating With Other Drivers | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series of videos on teen driver safety. It explains how to communicate with other drivers.

While you can’t control others’ actions, you can manage your own reactions to avoid possible problems on the road. Being courteous, keeping a space cushion around your vehicle, and letting other drivers know your intentions will all keep the roads a little safer. In this lesson, you’ll learn to effectively communicate with other drivers and become more aware of figuring out their intentions.

Anticipating Behaviors | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is in a series of videos on teen driver safety. This one explains how to anticipate other driver's behaviors.

Stopping and starting involves getting used to the feel of the gas and brake pedals, and smoothly transitioning between them. Proper braking and gas control will keep your car under control and provide a more comfortable ride for passengers.

Starts and Stops | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is in a series of videos on teen driver safety. This one covers starts and stops.

Entrances and exits of parking lots contain many potential hazards. Let’s go over some basics skills to better prepare you.

Entering and Exiting Parking Lots | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is in a series of videos on teen driver safety. This one explains the transitions in and out of parking lots.

Constant scanning, slower speeds and extra caution when navigating intersections will go a long way toward making the roads safer for all. Let’s take a look at managing intersections with traffic signals and stop signs.

Residential Intersections | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is in a series of videos on teen driver safety. This one explains the hazards of residential intersections.

Constant scanning, slower speeds and extra caution when navigating intersections will go a long way toward making the roads safer for all. Let’s take a look at managing intersections with traffic signals and stop signs.

Busy Intersections | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is in a series of videos on teen driver safety. This explains how to manage busy intersections.

Merging onto a busy interstate is one of the more stressful lessons we learn in life, and for good reason. It’s a complicated maneuver that requires lots of practice to master. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to safely merge onto a highway, freeway, or toll road.

Highway Merging | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is in a series of videos on teen driving safety. This one explains how to merge onto the highway.

Now that you’re armed with knowledge about merging, we’ll take it a step further and consider how to manage your speed and following distance on highways.

In this lesson, we’ll discuss best practices for keeping your speed under control and creating the right amount of distance from other vehicles. Taking control of your speed will help you maintain control, travel safely through all road conditions, and follow the law. With experience, you’ll develop a good idea of how fast or slow you’re traveling without constantly relying on your speedometer.

Speed Management | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is in a series of videos on teen driving safety. This one explains how to manage your speed.

Not only is it safe to keep your speed under control, it’s also critical to leave a good amount of room, also known as a space cushion, between your car and others. This can allow you time to react appropriately in emergencies.

In this lesson, we’ll discuss best practices for keeping your speed under control and creating the right amount of distance from other vehicles. Taking control of your speed will help you maintain control, travel safely through all road conditions, and follow the law. With experience, you’ll develop a good idea of how fast or slow you’re traveling without constantly relying on your speedometer.

Creating a Space Cushion on All Four Sides | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one explains how to create a space on all four sides of your vehicle.

We hope you’ll remember these essential tips about speed and distance. Managing them both will go a long way toward making the roads safer.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to keep your car in the safest spot on the road: the center of the lane in which you’re traveling.

Maintaining Lane Position | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one explains how to maintain lane position.

Learn how to change lanes safely and manage blind spots. Changing lanes can be risky and should only be done when necessary. Let’s go over some quick pointers you’ll need to know before making your next move.

Changing Lanes | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one explains how to change lanes.

Learn how to change lanes safely and manage blind spots. Changing lanes can be risky and should only be done when necessary. Let’s go over some quick pointers you’ll need to know before making your next move.

Blind Spots | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one explains how to manage blind spots.

In this lesson, we’ll discuss strategies for safe driving at night. Many new drivers spend a great deal of time driving in darkness, yet many are unaware of specific strategies for safe night driving. While driving at night may not seem much different than driving during the day, there are important differences to keep in mind.

Night Driving | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one covers driving at night.

By remembering all of the tips you’ve learned here, you’ll be well on your way to taking on the night.

In this lesson, we’ll discuss safety measures for driving in difficult weather conditions. Being behind the wheel in treacherous weather doesn't have to be a white-knuckled, nerve-racking experience. Our tips will help you gain confidence when taking on life’s storms.

Driving in Bad Weather | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one explains how to drive in bad weather.

Now that you know how to drive in many types of weather conditions, think hard about if it’s worth making that trip at all. It’s always better to be safe, than sorry.

In this lesson, we’ll discuss driving tips specific to rural situations. Driving on rural roads may leave you feeling safe and relaxed, but country roads present a unique set of hazards that you typically don’t have to worry about elsewhere. After all, how likely is it you’ll encounter a farm vehicle or livestock on a city street?

Driving in Rural Areas | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one explains how to drive in rural areas.

Awareness is the most important thing to keep in mind when driving on country roads. This, coupled with smart speed management, can help ensure your safety and the safety of other drivers.

Here, we’ll discuss what to do when the unexpected happens while driving. One thing for certain that can be said about car emergencies: they happen when you least expect them. Thinking about what you’d do in case of car trouble or an emergency can be stressful. But armed with knowledge and you’ll have the confidence to take on a nerve-wracking situation should one occur.

Emergency Vehicles | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

Here, we’ll discuss what to do when the unexpected happens while driving. One thing for certain that can be said about car emergencies: they happen when you least expect them. Thinking about what you’d do in case of car trouble or an emergency can be stressful. But armed with knowledge and you’ll have the confidence to take on a nerve-wracking situation should one occur.

Handling a Collision | Steer Clear® | State Farm®

This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one explains how to handle collisions.

You can’t predict when a crash will occur, but hopefully now you’ll be more prepared. Quick thinking, and knowledge, can help minimize risk and maximize your safety.